Schleswig

Go on a self-drive holiday for the whole family to the Viking town of Schleswig.

Half an hour's drive south of the Danish-German border lies the small town of Schleswig, which was Danish until 1864. A driving holiday to Schleswig takes you to a town that has a fascinating history to tell and it's particularly interesting to explore the many stories from the Viking Age.

Most of the stories can be found at the Viking Museum Haithabu (Hedeby), which is located just outside Schleswig. Hedeby was Denmark's most important town in the Viking Age and a major trading centre. Today's museum in Germany uses innovative media to take you back to the Viking Age, giving children a fun way to learn much more about life in the town in the past. The museum is also among the most important archaeological museums in Germany, with exhibitions of original finds and a residential quarter with original reconstructed Viking houses. Also take a tour of the Dannevirke defence works, the largest ancient monument in the Nordic countries. Read more about the museum's opening hours on the official website.

When you arrive in Schleswig by car, you can drive into the city from the southwest. Here you'll be greeted by the impressive Gottorp Castle, which dates back to the 15th century and was the residence of the Gottorp dukes. At Gottorp Castle you'll find the Schleswig-Holstein State Museum of Art and Archaeology, whose famous exhibits include the moss leagues in the Ice and Ancient Times exhibition and the Nydam boat. Visit the historic Gottorp Castle and the whole family can take an exciting journey through time.

At the castle you can take a break in the impressive Baroque garden. Enjoy a stroll through the garden at your own pace and let yourself be seduced by the many patterns. From the end of the magnificent garden you can really sense the past as paths, patterns and sculptures merge together as far as the garden extends. In the garden you will also find the large globe, a highlight for young and old alike.

In the city of Schleswig you will also find a large selection of historic buildings. The almost 900-year-old St. Peter's Cathedral is the city's most significant building. The cathedral is impressively beautiful and you can only be impressed by the detailed work done throughout the church. Don't deprive yourself of a trip up the church tower, from where you can enjoy views over Schleswig and the beautiful countryside. Right next to the cathedral you will also find Rathausmarkt, where you will find several cosy cafés.

Holidays can also be enjoyed on foot through the cosy district of Holmen. Holmen is a former fishing village and is situated on the Slien. There is a unique atmosphere in the small, cosy alleys, where the old, charming houses lie like pearls on a string. Here you will also find the fine Königswiesen city park, where you can relax in the green surroundings. Just north of the city park is the Asgaard brewery, where you can take a break. In historic buildings you can taste Viking beer as it tastes in the 21st century.

The perfect self-drive holiday offers a variety of experiences and you'll find them in Schleswig-Holstein. In all directions you will be greeted by idyllic towns, beautiful nature and lots of history. For example, take the short trip to the port city of Kiel, feel the charm of the small canal town of Friedrichstadt or explore the Wadden Sea, a unique natural experience. In short, you can combine history, art, culture and nature on a great self-drive holiday to Schleswig. So pack your car and go with Risskov to discover Northern Germany.